HONOLULU (KHON2) — Crews are making preparations for runoff from streams with the expected wet weather and soil that is already saturated.

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The Ala Wai Canal was still clogged with debris on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Folks around the Ala Wai told KHON2 that the Canal was the worst it has ever been when it comes to debris.

“I see like kind of one disaster, you know, it’s an eyesore for everybody,” said Kalihi resident Timmy Torres.

Even Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi took notice and said the City will be involved with the cleanup.

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“We’ve been doing a good job lately of cleaning up the streams and so nobody’s trying to point fingers. But what we saw after this recent rainfall with the amount ʻopala that was in the Ala Wai, want to help clean up,” Blangiardi said.

The canal itself is a state waterway, but ownership over the streams that feed into it is not as cut and dry which makes maintenance a bit of a headache.

“The Ala Wai is state, however the streams that flow into the Ala Wai are owned by state, owned by city and owned by private people,” Blangiardi said. “Even though technically it’s not our responsibility, we’re meeting today to combine our efforts, city and state, to get that cleaned up.”

State crews cleared out debris at the harbor end of the canal on Tuesday while other personnel surveyed up near the Kapahulu end of the canal. Cleanup will take a few days, but they will work until the next system arrives.

“So we’re looking at noon tomorrow to make sure that our preparations are all set. Most of the internal preparations are all done,” said Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen.
“The whole goal is to make sure we remove as much as possible from the Ala Wai to ensure that as little as possible that gets into the ocean and none of that causes any kind of flooding during the event.”

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Mayor Blangiardi met with the directors of both the State Department of Transportation and Department of Land and Natural Resources on Tuesday afternoon to discuss short-term solutions like debris removal and long-term solutions like drainage upkeep.

“Because honestly, in all the years I’ve been looking at the Ala Wai and all the times I’ve seen it post, post rainfall, this is one of the worst times I’ve seen it,” Blangiardi said.

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“I think the best thing is just everybody to work together and get it done. You know, instead of pointing the fingers at each other, you know? That would be the best for everybody,” Torres said.

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